After 34 years of serving students in North Carolina public schools, Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson has announced his plan to retire, after leading the school system since 2022. He shared his decision with the Board of Education June 5.
“The opportunity to serve as the superintendent of the school system I attended as a student - and where I would later begin my career as a teacher and administrator - has been an incredible privilege,” said Dr. Jackson. “This is the school system my parents and my children attended, a school system that believes in every student, supports every educator, and never stops striving to be better."
Following his service in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Jackson worked as a school secretary and summer custodian at Bell Elementary while taking classes to become a teacher, eventually leading him to a 4th grade classroom at Glen Arden Elementary, and later, to serving as an interim assistant principal at Sand Hill-Venable Elementary. He continued his education, and after nearly a decade with BCS, his journey led him to principalships in Union County, where he would open two brand-new schools as the founding principal. In 2011, he was honored as the Wells Fargo North Carolina State Principal of the Year and as a National Distinguished Principal. He served as superintendent of Edenton-Chowan Public Schools and Carteret County Public Schools on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina before coming home to Buncombe County.
As a superintendent, Dr. Jackson has received numerous awards, giving credit for each to his teammates. The recipient of both the NCSSA’s Dr. Brad Sneeden Superintendent Leadership Award and the Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award, Dr. Jackson was also tapped by the NCHSAA as the Superintendent of the Year and later for the Special Person Award.
“I have immense pride in the strength and core values of this school system and of the work our teammates have accomplished,” Dr. Jackson shared. “Guided by the BCS Strategic Plan the community helped draft, our graduation rates have hit historic highs. Our mid-year data from the current school year show growth in every student group across all grade levels. We have been able to provide free breakfast and lunch for every student the last three years. Our Academically-Intellectually Gifted Program and our Migrant Education Program each received state awards. Two of our schools were selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools while a third was selected as a National Distinguished Title 1 School. We are seeing unparalleled academic, artistic, and athletic student success. Just as importantly, there has been a 15% increase in teacher satisfaction from 80% in 2022 to 95% in the March 2026 results from the anonymous North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey. These achievements are not the result of one person, but represent the intentional work by our caring and dedicated teammates across the school system. It has been a tremendous honor to serve alongside them.”
Dr. Jackson also reflected one of the biggest challenges of his career - the days and weeks immediately following Hurricane Helene.
“That time demonstrated just how critical it is to have a strong public school system. In the aftermath of the worst disaster to hit our area in generations, our teammates set up distribution centers, hiked miles through the woods to fuel communication generators, and delivered supplies to students and families. Teams worked to repair buildings, remap bus routes, and safely reopen schools as quickly as possible. Our teammates helped provide for the emotional needs of our students and each other. The worst of times highlighted the very best of our school system.”
Board of Education Chair Rob Elliot added, "On behalf of the entire Board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jackson for his outstanding leadership and commitment to our students, staff, and community. No matter the challenge, he has guided the school system with vision, integrity, and a steadfast focus on student success. Although we will miss his leadership, we celebrate a remarkable career dedicated to public education and wish him the very best in a well-earned retirement."
The Board of Education will begin developing a leadership transition plan, and will keep stakeholders informed throughout the process.
“While I am retiring from my role, my love for Buncombe County Schools will never retire,” Dr. Jackson added. “I will forever be one of its proudest supporters, champions, and advocates. I leave with complete confidence in the future of this school system because I know the quality of the people who serve here and the depth of their commitment to children. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, for your partnership, and for allowing me the privilege of serving as Superintendent. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life. The climb has been meaningful, the journey has been extraordinary, and the people have made all the difference.”
Dr. Jackson’s final day with BCS will be Aug. 31, 2026.